The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 11 'M' benefits from favorable schedule By Brad Johnson For the Daily After a rough road trip that saw the Michigan volleyball team drop two matches in a row, coach Mark Rosen is optimistic about his team's chances for success this weekend. The Wolverines will take CLIFF KEE on Minnesota and CLI: Mi Iowa at Cliff Keen 1o vMichigan Arena following a nesota (13, 2 weekend in which (2-12, 8-16) their four-match win When: 7 p.m. Fr streak came to an end 7 p.m. Saturday against'Ohio State: Latest: The Wol "(The team) has need a strong fi been playing really finalsixmatche well at home," Rosen an NCAA Tourna said. "Hopefully, we will have a good crowd this weekend. They should both be really good matches." The Wolverines (8-6 Big Ten, 14- 10 overall) will have a tough task ahead of them when they face the conference-leading Golden Gophers (13-1, 26-3), who are currently ranked sixth in the country. "Minnesota obviously poses the biggest threat to us this weekend," said Rosen. "They are number one in the conference, and there is no ques- tion that they are a very good team. (But) we need to be pre- pared for both teams." ARENA Iowa (2-12, 8-16) 6 BigTen comes into the match No. 7 Min' with an unimpressive ) and Iowa record, but despite this Rosen feels the y and Hawkeyes are a danger- vs. N Friday sition and are averaging more blocks per game than their oppo- nents as well. "(We are) a very balanced team," Rosen said. "Defense and ball con- trol have been our strengths." With the variety and depth of the attackers that Michigan possesses, Rosen feels the team needs to dictate the style of play in order to be success- ful this weekend. This is especially true with regards to the Iowa match, a con- test in which he feels ball control will be especially key in increasing the team's chances for victory. Including this weekend's matches, Michigan will have just six remain- ing games until the beginning of postseason play. Rosen believes the Wolverines have a good chance of getting a bid to the tournament if they win three of their final six matches. "We are playing the tougher teams at home, and the weaker teams on the road," said Rosen. "We just need to take care of business and hold to our style of play." TOURNAMENT Continued from Page 9 Last Thursday the team lost to No. 7 seed Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. This cre- ated questions about whether Michi- gan deserved to be honored with a home bid. Now that those questions have been answered, the Wolverines can use the loss to Ohio State as motivation to play harder this weekend. "I think they feel like they need to redeem themselves," Rademacher said. They need to "prove to the college soc- cer world the worth of their wins earli- er in the season." Williamson had similar feelings. "It was a long bus ride home and we had a lot to think about," she said. "(It allowed us to) put everything into per- spective. "I think we're going to be pretty fired up." Michigan defeated the Grizzlies 2-0 on senior day afew weeks ago. The other teams scheduled to play in Ann Arbor include archrival Michigan State and Miami University. The Wolverines played the Spartans Octo. 25, with that game ending in a 1-1 tie. ly verines will nish in their s to receive ament bid. ous team. Of late, Michigan sophomore setter Lisa Gamalski has been showing lots of improvement and has played very well for the team. Sophomores Jennifer Gandolph and Carrie Ritchie have also turned in strong performances recently. Defensively, the Wolverines are averaging nearly one and a half more digs per game than their oppo- DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Senior middle blocker Katrina Lehman and the Michigan women's volleyball team hope to finish up the season strong with four of its remaining games at home. 9~eetM9~t fh- BlANKIwROSSI Tout( ~~ O9L ~II~rivp S _ I I I I I -I I - - F - 9Inne valita5 $00 s- .- ln -r n --i- '1 I I I I I I I I V 0 MIX-9& 4D 0c c w ,Vz I I - ---- ----- ---- Now holding 500 discounted cabins All Cruise Lines - All Destinations Call for Daily Happy Hour Specials - Best Rates 1-800-829-9781 www.1Adiscountcruises.com To make an appointment call: 913-5557 Arbor Hills H~air & Body Salon (ll service Salon) 0 229i S. Stalte AA Airport Shuttle Express Speelalzing In Airport Transportation 822 ONE WAY 829 SHARE AE Lowest FARE Around For Reservations Cai 734U41665 aaairportshuttleexpress.com " Metro Detroit Hotels, * U of M Hospital & Campuses oo'bm 6n ~ 3Zei Lowest price COMPLETE TRAVEL SERVICE International or Domestic Very Special Rates On 40 Different airlines "Cruises Discounts" Group Travel "Vacation Pkg" Tours "We Specialize on Int'l Tours, Lowest Fare to Your Sweet Home" Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa Seoul Bangkok Paris $645 $890 $456 Vienna $488 Johannesburg $1108 Delhi $1,095 Fares Valid at Time of Printing And Subject To Change Without Prior Notice 14 ___ i -- . -